We are deep in the era of the “little treat economy”, and the hot cross bun is its latest victim. How can you tell? Shelves upon shelves of new, different, sometimes polarising takes on hot cross buns at bakeries, cafes and supermarkets.
“Hot cross bun innovation has become a national obsession,” says Coles Bakery product developer Thea Comino. Coles estimates that by Easter Sunday they will have sold 70m buns around Australia, including its traditional buns, chocolate ones and more contentious varieties such as Vegemite and cheese flavours.
